Display device



H. J. JONES DISPLAY DEVICE Filed July 13, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet, 1

fyfffifi MAJ/KM A TTORNEY.

H. J. JONES DISPLAY DEVICE Sept; 22, 1931.

Filed July 13, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet, 3

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED srarrs PAT E-Nr OFFICE HUGH J. Jonas, or DENVER, corioimno DISPLAY nnvroni Application filed my. 13, 1929." Serial na'sraoso'.

My invention relates to display devices, and more especially to such devices which provide a series of separate displays which are changed successively in a continuous recurring cycle.

The object of my-invention is to'provide such afldisplay device in which a curtain or shield is moved in front of the display and is held in place during the changefromone 30 display to another.

unit may be easily removed and replaced by V 530 another display card unit, orby a unithaving a number of set scenes similar to a toy theater, each scene of which is exposed in turn and the change from one scene to another'being made during the time the curtainor shield is in l p prlme mover, is properly connected to drive {15 front of the display.

I attain the above objects by providing a cabinet with a movable curtain orshield behind which is a revolvable display unit ofeither the card or the scene type, and by pro- N gear 10,.wh1ch is securely mounted upon the worm shaft 11, whose worm '12 meshes with viding an operating mechanism unit which will move the curtain or shield, and revolve the display unit with the proper timing and sequence, as is more fully described below and is illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation in partial sec-' tion of my display device. Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through my display device, Figure 3 is a plan view in partial section of my display device.

tial section of the. turntable, lowerspider and turntable driving arm.- 7-. Figure 5 is a detail showing the mounting of the curtain or shield,

Figure 6' is a detailshowing one curtain -o'r shield and part of its actuating connectiong v the gear 13, and also'securel'y mounts the turntable driving arm 19. The turntable driv- Figure 7 is a detail showing a side. elevation of the card frame", and'pivotyoke.

Figure 8 isa detailshowing a top elevation'of the card frame. 1

Figure 9 is a detail showing the tappet pin and mounting. T

Figure 10 is a fragmentary detail on the "llne 1010 of Figure 7, but with the pivot yok'e'separated from the card frame for the sake of clearness.

Figure 11 is a'fragmentary'detail showing 7 a form of scene display unit.

The display shaft 1, journaled in the bearings 2 and 3, is provided with the turntable 4, which has the depending operating pins 5.

Whether display card unit or scene display unit is mounted in the device, the turntable, sha-ft and pins are-substantially the same;

The mechanism for operating the turntable and the curtains or shields is also the same in either case, and will therefore be described first, and the details of the card display unitand of the scene display unit will be described later.

The electric'motor 6, or any other proper thepinion shaft 7 by means of the belt 8, or

The pinion meshes with and drives the and drives the gear 13, securely mounted'on tion is obtained whereby the shaft 14'will rotate atthe necessary slow speed, as will appear below. i

The shaft 14 is journaledat 15 and 16in c c J the frame 17, which also carries the'journals 1 igure 41s a fragmentary elevationm par- Qand 3 of. the displayshaft 1, journals the shafts 7 and ,11, mounts the'motor 6, and carries the entire actuating mechanism :of the thijscfo rm' is shownas'bein integral with ing arm 19 is provided with the teeth 20 which co-operate with the turntable operating pins 5 upon each revolution of the shaft 14. This is, the teeth 20 are in efiect a por tion of a gear and they mesh with the pins 5 and rotate the table justas if the pins 5 were one gear and the arm 19 were another gear, but the duration of this driving engagement is such as to rotate the turntable at each revolution of the shaft 14 only the amount required to remove one display and to move the next-succeeding display into place.

During the time between these short engagements of the arm 19 with the pins 5 the turntable remains stationary.

The lever 21, secured on the shaft 22 by the set screw 23, is provided with the ball 24 which rides upon the cam 18 at each revolution of the shaft 14.

The shaft 22 is 'ournaled in the frame 17 and positioned endwise by the set collars 25. The rocker shafts 26 are journaled in the frame 17, and areheld therein by the set screws 27, which are received by a groove in each shaft 26.

The rocker bellcranks 28 are mounted on the rocker shafts 26 and secured thereon by the set screws 29, the arms 30 being joined by the tension spring 31.

, The pull of the spring 31 acts to maintain the bellcranks28 in contact with the lever 21. As the cam 18 contacts with and raises the ball 24 of the lever 21, the lever 21 rotates 7 its shaft 22 and depresses the bellcranks 28,

thus rotating the shafts 26. p

1 The levers 32 are secured on the shafts 26 by the set screws 33, and are pivotally connected to the connecting rods 34, which in turn are pivotally connectedv to the levers 35, which are pivotally mounted at 36 upon the frame work of the cabinet 41.

The levers 35 are pivotally connected to the connecting rods 37, which in turn are pivotally connected to the curtain or shield 38.

The curtain or shield is dividedv into two parts which are slidably mounted on the rod 39 by the hangers 40.

In the operation of the display device, the

prime mover, such as'the motor '6, through its. driving connection rotates the shaft 14 at the required speed. As the cam 18 contacts with theball 24 and moves the lever 21, the bellcranks 28, are depressed, the shafts 26 are rotated, moving the levers 32, which through the connecting rods 34, the levers 35 and the connecting rods 37 move the two parts of the curtain or shield till they come together at the center of the stage, in which position they are held-by the cam 18 tillit passes out from underthe ball24.

During the timethe curtains are closed the arm 19'contacts with and moves the pins 5,which rotates the turntable 1 to the next position, where it remains stationary. The v cam 18 and the teeth2r0 0f the arm 19 are so proportioned and are so positioned on the shaft 14 with respect to each other, that as soon as the turntable reaches the new position the cam 18 begins to lower the ball 24, and the spring 31 acts to open the curtains and maintain the ball 24 in contact with the face of the cam 18. V

' The adjustable mountings of the levers 32 upon the shafts 26 permit the travel limits of the curtains to be adjusted as desired.

And the adjustable mountings of the bellcran ks 28 permit both angular and longitudinal adjustments of the positions of the bellcranks and thereby assist in the travel adjustment of the curtains and to some extent permit adjustment of the timing of their movements. p

\Vhen it is desired to change from the card display to the scene displayunit, the segment 42 is removed by taking outthe screws 71', which hold the segment to the cross piece 60.

Thispermits the curve of the floor of the scene display unit to take the place of the segment 42 of the floor 42.-

WVhen the shaft 1 of the scene display unit is mounted in the journals 15 and 16 of the frame 17, the unit is revolved by the arm 19 to present a new scene during each closure of the curtains 38.

The different scenes may contain any desired display or settings or advertising matter, and a new sceneuwill be displayed after each closing of the curtains, for the. entire cycle of scenes, which will then be repeated. It is understood that the teeth 20 of the arm 19 and the pins 5 of the turntable are to be and rests between the bottom bars and is thus held in'plac'e by the top and bottom bars, the uprights, and the base.

The card 51 is provided with a display, picture, or other advertising matter upon each side. 7

The pivotal mounting pin 47 is provided with a-heXa'gonal portion which rests against the bottom of the frame base 46,- the pin being' riveted through the base. The pin47 of each card frame, passes through a hole in one of the spider arms 48, which :arms are secured to the turntable-and form the lower spider.

The spring 49 is mounted onthe pin 47 and is held in resilient contact with the spider arm 48 by the washer 49 which in turn is held in'place by the turning lever 50 The friction thusmaintained-in the mount- The card 51 isinserted between the top bars, passes down When it is desired to change a card or to change all the cards in the card display unit, the set screw 57 is backed ofithe upper spider and the c-levises are removed, and then any card or all the cards may be removed and re-' placed with other displays.

If it is desired to remove the entire card display unit, it is merely lifted bodily upward, the shaft 1 pulling directly out of its bearings 2 and 3.

In the position shown in Figure 3, one card frame is in place as shown at 58 with the curtain open, the other card frames with their cards being then in the positions shown.

After the curtains are closed by action of the cam 18, lever 21 and co-acting parts, as explained above, the card display unit is revolved, as indicated by the arrow, the card frame 58 assuming the dotted lineposition 59, its angular position with itsspider arm being changed by the contact of the rounded end of the frame base 46 with the cross piece 60 of the cabinet 4:1. Further movement causes the following card frame 61 by its contact with 59 as indicated, to revolve the frame 59 slightly on its pivotal mounting on the spider arm till it will assume the position 62.

The tappet pin 63, secured to, itsmounting 64, is mounted on the frame of the cabinet 4:1 by the bolted nut 65, the slot in the mounting 64 permitting adjustment of theposition of the pin 63, which adjusts'the angular movement given the card frame on its spider arm.

When a card frame comes to the position indicated as at 66, its turning lever 50 contacts with the tappet pin 63 and further rotation of the unit turns-the card frame 66 to the position shown as at67.

The exact position to which the frame is thus turned is to be adjusted by proper positioning of the tappet pin-.63, as mentioned above.

Further rotation of the unit then causes the rounded end of the frame base A6 to strike the cross piece of the cabinet 41 and thereby rotate the card frame on its pivotalmounting to the position shown as at 6l, the final rotational movement of the unit bringing the cardframe to the final display position as shown at 58.

Thus, in each revolution of a card frame about the'center of the shaft 1,- it is positively turned on its'spider arm so aslto present its other side to view.-

which attract attention and interest of the ona cured upon said shafts and connected to .said

,open fora predeterminedperiod of time. i

. ,That is, if the cabinet turntableand arm .19 are constructed for four card frames, each card will be displayed first on one side then on the other side as the unit contiine's to revolve, makinga totalof eightdisplays for the complete cycle. I r i If the constructionis for three card frames ,there will be sixdis'plays tothe cycle, and if the'construction is for six card frames, there will be twelve displays for the complete cycle.

-7-5 The cabinet may be lighted continuously by lights such asshown at 68, or the lights-may be controlled by aswitch such as shown at 71,

which is automatically thrown in whenthe curtains begin to open and which is thrown off during the time the curtains are closed.

" It will now seen that my invention pro- ,vides a display device'which gives the elements of suspense,and of surprise, both of looker, with the result that he will-almost certainly waitto see several changes of the display, perhaps an entire cycle, or even several cycles, so that what is being advertised will be. impressed upon his mind. v I

I am well aware that Various changes and alterations may be made to my device, which any competent mechanic will perceivewhich" will not seriously change its value, and so I do not wish to confine my protectioncnar- 95.

rowly to the exact constructions described and illustrated, but what I claim asnew, and

- with said lever, a pair of arms adjustably se- 1 cured upon said shafts and adapted to contact with andbe actuated by said lever to give said shafts an oscillating movement, spring means adapted to maintain the lever in contact with the cam, and a pair of arms adjustably securtainswhereby at each revolution of the cam thecurtains will be closed-and will, remain closed for a predeterminedperiod .Lof time and will .then be opened and remain f .1 20 2. In ardisplay cabinet adapted to present a plurality of displays successively in'a .decurring cycle and to make the change from one display to the next during the time the curtains of said cabinet areclosed, a frame,

,an oscillating levernrounted onthe frame,

a pair of oscillating shafts carriedlby the' frame and each provided with an armflad- "means adapted to maintain said arms in contact with said lever, and a'pair of arms ad- ]ustably secured upon said shafts and connected to said curtains whereby at each oscillation of the lever the curtains areclosed and again opened.

3. In a display cabinet adapted'to present a plurality of displays successively in a recurring cycle and to make the change from one display to the next during thetime the curtains of said cabinet areclosed, frame,

- to the shafts.

a pair of oscillating shafts mounted on the frame, Ineans carried by said shafts to adjust the angular extent of their oscillations, arms carried by the shafts and connected to the curtains whereby the curtains are closed and again opened at each complete oscillation of said shafts, and adjustable means securing said arms on said shafts whereby the position of the curtains may be adjusted with respect 7 4. In a display cabinet having a display window andadapted to presentin the display position at the display window a plurality of display cards successively in a recurring cycle, a revolvable display card unit'having upper and lower spiders providedwith arms in pairs, and a display card frame having a base with rounded ends pivot-ally mounted upon each pair ofarms, a turning pin carried by each of said frames, a tappet pin carried "by said cabinet and adjustably mounted remote from said window and adapted to contact with the turning pin of each card frame and thereby turn' said frame'on its pair of arms through a predetermined angle, and a member carried by said cabinet parallel with said window and adapted to contact with the leading rounded end of the base of each 'card frame and retard same and thereby further revolve each frame on its arms to bring the other faceof said frame adjacent and parallel the-said window. I V c 5. In a display cabinet having a display window andadapted to present at the display window a plurality of cards successively in a recurring cycle, a revolvable display unit mounted in said cabinet and provided with plurality of '.revolubly mounted card frames with roundended bases and diametri- 'c'ally extending turning pins, an adjustably positioned tappet' pin carried by the cabinet remote from said window and adapted to ontact with the turning pin of each of said franies in succession and thereby turn each frame through a pred etermined angle, and a member carried by said cabinet parallel with saidwindow and adapted to contact with and retard'the leading rounded end of each frame base and thereby swing each frame on its mountings a further amount till the frame is parallelwith said window.

6. In a displaycabinet having a display window and adapted to display at the window a s'eries'of card displays in arecurring cycle, a display unitmounted to have rotary movement in the cabinet, a plurality of card frames pivotally mounted on said unit-and each provided with a turning pin and a frame base, a plurality of double faced cards in said frames, a. tappet adjustably attached to the cabinet and adapted to contactwith the tur'niiig'pin of each frame in turn and to thereby revolve each frame with respect to its unit a predetermined amount, and a member parallel with saidwindow and adapted to contact with the leading'end of each frame base as the unit revolves and thereby revolve the frame with respect to the unit to bring the other end thereof to the leading position and the frame parallel with the window, whereby each'frame will be revolved half a turn with respect to the display unit during each revolution of the unit and will thereby display first one face and then the' other face of each card at the window.

7. In a display cabinet having a display window with curtains having a closed and an open position, and adapted to display at the H window a series of card displays in a recurring cycle, a display unit mounted to have rotary movement in the cabinet, a plurality of card frames 'pivotally mounted on said unit and each provided with a turning pin and a frame base, a plurality of double faced cards in'said frames, a tappet pin adj ustably attached to the cabinet and adapted to contact withthe turning pm of each frame in turn and to thereby revolve each frame with I respect to its unit a predetermined amount,

anda member parallel-with said window and adapted to contact'with the leading end of each frame base as the unit revolves and thereby revolve the frame with respect to the unit to bring the other end thereof to the'leading position and the frame parallel with the window, whereby each frame will be revolved half a turn with respect to the display unit during each revolution of said display unit, and will thereby display first 'to'rotate'said unit intermittently from one "display position to the next, comprising drive members about said shaft and a continuously rotating toothed segment engaging-said drive members at each revolutionfor a predetermined period, a'iid means adapted to first open, and then close the curtains'while said unitis stationary. I 9.111 a display cabinet having a display window and adapted to present at the display window a plurality of cards successively in i an a recurring cycle and having horizontally reciprocating curtains co-operating with said Window, a revolvable unit having a vertical shaft and provided with a plurality of displays, means adapted to open and again close the said curtains, means adapted to revolve said unit from one display to another inter mittently, said revolution taking place while said curtains are closed, and including circularly spaced driving members and a continuously rotating toothed segment engaging said driving members at each revolution for a predetermined period, a prime mover, and a frame in the cabinet and mounting the prime mover, the curtain moving means and the unit revolving means and forming therewith an actuating unit.

10. In a display cabinet having a display window and adapted to present at the display window a plurality of displays successively in a recurring cycle and having movable curtains co-operating'with said window and having a closed and an open position, a rotating display unit having a plurality of displays adapted to register successively with said window, and an actuating unit rotating about a vertical axis, and connections adapted to mount the display unit and means adapted to operate the curtains and to hold them in the closed position while the display unit is in motion and means to rotate said display unit comprising circularly spaced driving members and a continuously rotating toothed segment engaging said driving members at each revolution for a predetermined period.

11. In a display cabinet having a display window and adapted to present at the display window a plurality of displays successively in a recurring cycle and having movable curtains co-operating with said window and having a closed and open position, a rotating display unit rotating about a vertical shaft having a plurality of displays adapted to register successively with said window, an actuating unit adapted to rotatably mount said display unit,

means connecting the display unit and the actuating unit in driving engagement whereby th e display unit i s revolved to register each display at the window successively and is held temporarily stationary after each display is moved to register with said window, comprising circularly spaced driving mem bers and a continuously rotating toothed segment engaging said driving members at each revolution for a predetermined period of time, and means connecting the actuating unit with the curtains whereby they are operated and are held in the closed position while the display unit is in motion.

12. In a display cabinet having a display window and adapted to present at the display window a plurality of displays successively in a recurring cycle and having movable curtains co-operating with said window and having a closed and an open position, a plurality of display units adapted to be received by and to operate in said cabinet selectively, and an actuating unit adapted to rotatably mount said display units selectively provided with means adapted to co-operate with the display unit in the cabinet to rotate the unit about a vertical axis intermittently to bring said displays successively to register with said Window, and provided with means adapted to operate the curtains and to hold them in the closedposition while the display unit is being moved, including circular drive members and a continuously rotated toothed segment engaging said members at each revolution for a predetermined period of time.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HUGH J. JONES. 

